Author of “Sunshine Resolution” Demands Transparency

Washington, DC -- U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan (FL-13), the author of the Sunshine Resolution, today called on House and Senate Leaders to accept C-SPAN’s offer to publicly broadcast final health care negotiations. Buchanan said Congress should not engage in secret, backroom deals when it comes to writing the most sweeping health reform bill in decades.

Buchanan’s resolution, H. Res. 847, has 151 cosponsors and requires that all final negotiations on the health care reform bill be conducted under the watchful eye of the American people. Speaker Nancy Pelosi has not allowed a vote yet on the Buchanan plan.

Recent press reports have indicated Democrat leaders intend to draft the final bill behind closed doors.

“Health care reform is one of the largest public policy reforms taken up by Congress in generations,” said Buchanan. “If enacted, the final bill will impact the lives of all Americans. With so much at stake, any conference committee or meetings held to determine the content of sweeping national health care legislation should be held under the watchful eye of the American people, not behind closed doors.”

The Washington Times today referred to Buchanan’s resolution in an editorial entitled “Hiding Health Care Negotiations Behind Closed Doors” (http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/jan/05/hiding-health-bills-behind-closed-doors/).

In a letter to House leaders, C-SPAN offered to cover the sessions live and in their entirety (http://www.c-span.org/pdf/C-SPAN%20Health%20Care%20Letter.pdf). President Obama pledged during his campaign for President to "broadcast negotiations on C-SPAN so that the American people can see what the choices are."

“I applaud C-SPAN for offering to provide this important public service and urge House Leaders to grant its request,” said Buchanan.